Carton opener

ABSTRACT

A hand-held carton opening device securely contacting an end of the carton to be opened and guiding a maneuverable blade in an oscillating, cutting path closely adjacent the interior edge of the carton end. The arm carrying the blade is mounted by a spring loaded attaching member to the elongated frame in a guide slot permitting the blade to be oscillated in a sawing, cutting motion the length of the blade oscillating slot. The components projecting from the frame secure and stabilize the carton for the opening process.

United States Patent 1 Walker 1 CARTON OPENER [76] Inventor: Fred M. Walker, 407 E. Hathaway,

San Antonio, Tex. 73209 [22] Filed: Mar. 1, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 447,297

[52] US. Cl. 30/2; 30/289; 144/144 {51] Int. Cl B67b 7/30 [58] Field of Search 30/2, 166, 286, 289, 293, 30/294; 144/144 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 861,124 7/1907 Keeler 30/289 X 2,110,194 3/1938 Blier 30/2 2,282,697 5/1942 Bates 1 30/2 2,442,694 6/1948 Keiser 30/289 3.052977 9/1962 Wise 30/2 [Ill 3,889,367

[ 1 June 17, 1975 Primary ExaminerAl Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Gary L. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Willard .l. Hodges, Jr.

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJUN 17 I975 SHEET FIG.1

3 FIG. 4

FIG. 2

CARTON OPENER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention A hand-held and operated device for cutting an opening in the end of a carton on a plane parallel to an end surface. The carton opener having a frame contacting and securely holding an end of the box while guiding a cutting blade in a slicing motion parallel to the inner edge of the end being partially removed. In use normally the carton is opened on three sides leaving a flaplike end. When the carton is empty the other end of the carton may be opened and the carton folded into a minimum space.

2. Description of Prior Art The problem of tearing and cutting end of a carton or box to gain access to the contents has provoked people for many years. Devices have been developed with a view to simplifying and making safer the procedure. Some of these devices have been patented, such as U.S. Pat. 2,615,239 which provides a device for guiding a knife blade adjacent the end of a box top. Other approaches utilizing projecting guide bars parallel to the cutting blade are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,057,058 and 3,195,231.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A hand-held and operated paper carton opener having an elongated frame contacting the end of the carton, a cutting member guided by an elongated slot for movement throughout the length of the frame. An arm carrying a blade mounted for reciprocal movement facilitates a slicing, cutting motion ofthe blade in contact with a carton to be opened. A depth guide bar and a depth of cut guage is incorporated in the cutting member. Carton grasping means secured to and projected from the elongated frame incorporate projections contacting and securing the carton. The frame of the device may be constructed of metal, wood or plastics. In the preferred embodiment, the carton top plate, i.e., the flat elongated member contacting the end of the carton was constructed of clear plastic to permit the operator to observe the position of the carton and the opening process.

One object of the invention was to facilitate the ease of opening the end of a carton.

Another object was safety, the arrangement of components shield the cutting edge from the operator at all times.

Another object was to provide a means for conveniently opening the bottom end of an empty carton for compacting the carton for waste disposal.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from a detailed study of the attached drawings and the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For an illustration of a method of construction of the device attention is invited to the attached several views wherein identical reference characters are used to refer to identical or equivalent components throughout the several views.

FIG. I is an isometric illustration of the device in operable position on a simulated carton to be opened.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the device taken substantially on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a fragmented side view of one of the metal angular members projecting from the frame design to contact a carton.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the member illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the assembled device illustrating the components which contact a carton.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the assembled device taken substantially on line 6-6 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For a detailed description of the construction and operation of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the attached drawings and the following detailed description wherein identical reference characters will be employed to refer to identical or equivalent components throughout the description and operation of the device. The device is basically constructed employing an elongated frame 10. In the preferred embodiment the majority of the components were constructed from aluminum alloy stock one-sixteenth inch thick and one-half inch wide. Screws and nuts were used for attaching the various components; however, rivets or other conventional fastening means may be employed. The uppermost member of the combination is frame handle 11 which is constructed from aluminum stock three-fourths inch wide and in the preferred embodiment two right angle bends were employed at each end to position the elongated handle 1% inch above the top plane of surface. An elongated sheet of clear plastic 12 inches in length and 3% inches wide having a thickness of approximately one-eighth inch was utilized to construct the elongated plate designated as carton top plate 12 which is secured at right angles to frame handle 11. Carton top plate 12 has an elongated guide slot 13 constructed one-fourth inch wide and 9% inches in length positioned one-half inch in from the rear edge of the carton top plate 12. Two plastic strips three-eighths inch wide were secured to the underneath edge of the carton top plate 12 adjacent guide slots 13 and form guide rails 14. Cutting member 15 is mounted in guide slot 13 utilizing a spring loaded attaching member 16. In the preferred embodiment spring loaded attaching member 16 was constructed utilizing a bolt and nut, 2 washers, and a spring.

The components of cutting member 15 are generally mounted on an elongated blade arm 17. This member was constructed from a piece of sheet metal 6 inches in length and approximately I inch width. Blade 18 is a standard, replaceable utility knife blade and may be either riveted to blade arm 17 or a detachable clip-like securing means might be employed to permit blade 18 to be replaced or reversed in direction. Any type of slot pin engagement which would securely attach the blade 18 would be satisfactory. The blade mount 19 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5. The blade arm 17 was constructed with a blade oscillating slot one-fourth inch wide and 1 inch in length adjacent blade 18 for receiving spring loaded attaching member I6. This oscillating slot 20 is an important feature contributing to the improved operation of the device of this invention over previous art. The arrangement of these components are probably best illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5.

For further detail of the construction of the various components of cutting member 15. reference is particularly made to FIG. 1. Knife handle 21 of the preferred embodiment was constructed from wood; however, plastic might equally well be employed. In the center of knife handle 21 is mounted a slidable. elongated depth guide bar 22. The contacting of the rear edge of carton top plate 12 by the forward edge of the depth guide bar 22 determines the distance blade arm 17 and blade 18 project forward underneath carton top plate 12. The cutting member was provided with an elongated, clear plastic depth of cut guage 23 which was secured to knife handle 21 and was of length to coincide with the forward cutting edge of blade 18. This component enables the operator to know the depth of cut being performed by blade 18 even though opaque materials might be between the blade and the operator. Secured to the underneath surface of carton top plate 12 is mounted carton side support member 26. The components of this member are constructed from aluminum alloy one-sixteenth inch thick and one-half inch wide. The various components were formed by right angle bends and the components bolted together to form a unitary support structure. The method of construction and materials employed may well vary as well as the methods of attaching such as the use of rivets or froming the structure as a continuous unit. Carton side support member 26 basically comprises an elongated side rail 27 which is mounted parallel to guide slot 13 and is supported and retained in position by two side rail mounts 28. In the preferred embodiment these are right angle mounts retained elongated carton side rail onehalf inch forward of guide slot 13, projecting approximately 1 inch from the lower surface of carton top plate 12. Normal to the elongated carton side rail 27 is first side support projection 29 and second side support projection 30 constructed of the general configuration illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and 5. The final embodi ment of the device resulted in various components of the carton side support member 26 in combination with carton top plate 12 creating an angular structure that received and retained the carton to be opened. To facilitate this function the interior edges designed to contact and retain the carton may be coated with a high friction surface 31 shcematically indicated by shading of portions of elongated carton side rail 27 and the first and second sides support projections 29 as well as portions of bottom surface of carton top plate 12.

As stated above, one of the objects of the invention was safety. Two specific elements contributing to the shielding of the blade 18 are illustrated in FIG. 6. The means employed to secure frame handle 11 to carton top plate 12 project through the bottom side a distance adequate to constitute a first blade stop 32 and a second blade stop 33.

Substantial modifications in the selections of materials and dimensions outlined above might be employed in practicing this invention. The foregoing described preferred embodiment and prototype model operated entirely satisfactorily in numerous tests. In the preferred embodiment aluminum alloys in combination with clear plastic with some wood components were utilized Certain advantages do exist from utilization of a clear plastic carton top plate 12. However, the mute rials employed in the other components are largely optional with the manufacturer.

OPERATION OF THE DEVICE In utilization of the device in the preferred embodiment illustrated first side support projection 29 may be eliminated or removed from the device for opening large cartons. The operation of the device is probably rather self-evident from a review of the attached drawings. The visualized operation, however, is in summary as follows.

The carton opener is grasped by frame handle 11 and carton top plate 12 placed on the top of the carton with carton side support 26 securely contacting the side of the carton to be opened and the first side support projection 29 or the second side support projection 30 contacting the end of the carton. Stabilizing the device by grasping handle 21, blade 18 is brought into contact with the surface to be cut. Oscillating slot 20 permits a sawing-like cutting action to facilitate the cutting pro' cess. If the depth of cut is desired to be limited, depth guide bar 22 should be positioned with depth cut guage 23 at the desired depth of penetration. A sawing. cutting action oscillating blade 18 in a smooth cutting motion will sever three sides of the box producing a flap of the carton top. The dimensions of the preferred embodiment might well be increased for the larger cartons. The device could operate effectively in substantially the manner described eliminating the first and second side support projections 29 and 30. The preferable embodiment would comprise a device of dimensions at least equal to the largest carton frequently opened. The device and form illustrated are quite effective in opening cartons having a narrowest dimension of not more than 9 inches. The device illustrated will produce a satisfactory flap at the pouring spout end of all types of cereal and household detergent boxes. A device of similar construction having larger dimensions will readily open larger cartons or cardboard containers.

Having described in detail the construction of the preferred embodiment and suggested various modifications what is desired to be claimed is all embodiments of the invention not departing substantially from the equivalents of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A carton opening device comprising:

a. an elongated carton top plate having a top side and a bottom side,

b. a handle secured to the top side of said carton top plate, said handle adapted to be hand-held and stabilizes said carton top plate in contact with a surface,

c. a carton side support securely affixed to said top plate and projecting substantially normal to the bottom side of said carton top plate, said carton side support adapted to contact the side of a carton,

d. an elongated guide slot formed in said carton top plate and projecting substantially the length of said carton top plate,

e. attaching means slidably secured in said elongated guide slot.

f. a blade arm flexibly secured to said attaching means,

g. a blade means including a cutting edge secured to said blade arm, and

h. a blade oscillating slot constructed in said blade arm at said blade arms point of engagement of said attaching means, said oscillating slot extending in a plane parallel to the cutting edge of said blade permitting oscillation of said blade in a reciprocal action.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said attaching means comprises a resilient spring loaded attaching means projecting through said blade oscillating slot and said elongated guide slot flexibly retaining said blade means and said carton top plate in substantially parallel planes.

3. The invention of claim 1 including:

a. a handle securely attached to said blade arm, and

b. a depth guide bar slidably mounted in said handle, said depth guide bar adapted to slidably contact an edge of said elongated carton top plate thereby controlling the depth of penetration of said blade means.

4. The invention of claim 1 including:

a. a handle securely attached to said blade arm, and

b. a depth of cut guage secured to said handle, said depth of cut guage projecting parallel to said blade arm and terminating adjacent the maximum extension of said blade means.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said blade means comprises:

a. a blade mount constructed in said blade arm adjacent a first end of said arm,

b. a removable, replaceable blade securely engaging said blade mount, and

c. a handle securely affixed to said blade arm adjacent a second end of said arm opposite said blade mount.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said carton side support comprises:

a. an elongated carton side rail projecting normal to said carton top plate, and

b. a first side support projecting normal to said elongated side rail, said elongated carton side rail and said first side support adapted to engage and stabilize a carton.

7. The invention of claim 6 further comprising a high friction surface formed in said elongated carton side rail.

8. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a first blade stop arresting lateral movement of said blade means within the perimeter of said top plate.

9. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a mu]- tiplicity of blade stops arresting lateral movement of said blade means within the perimeter of said top plate.

10. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a high friction surface formed in the said bottom of said top plate. 

1. A carton opening device comprising: a. an elongated carton top plate having a top side and a bottom side, b. a handle secured to the top side of said carton top plate, said handle adapted to be hand-held and stabilizes said carton top plate in contact with a surface, c. a carton side support securely affixed to said top plate and projecting substantially normal to the bottom side of said carton top plate, said carton side support adapted to contact the side of a carton, d. an elongated guide slot formed in said carton top plate and projecting substantially the length of said carton top plate, e. attaching means slidably secured in said elongated guide slot, f. a blade arm flexibly secured to said attaching means, g. a blade means including a cutting edge secured to said blade arm, and h. a blade oscillating slot constructed in said blade arm at said blade arm''s point of engagement of said attaching means, said oscillating slot extending in a plane parallel to the cutting edge of said blade permitting oscillation of said blade in a reciprocal action.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said attaching means comprises a resilient spring loaded attaching means projecting through said blade oscillating slot and said elongated guide slot flexibly retaining said blade means and said carton top plate in substantially parallel planes.
 3. The invention of claim 1 including: a. a handle securely attached to said blade arm, and b. a depth guide bar slidably mounted in said handle, said depth guide bar adapted to slidably contact an edge of said elongated carton top plate thereby controlling the depth of penetration of said blade means.
 4. The invention of claim 1 including: a. a handle securely attached to said blade arm, and b. a depth of cut guage secured to said handle, said depth of cut guage projecting parallel to said blade arm and terminating adjacent the maximum extension of said blade means.
 5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said blade means comprises: a. a blade mount constructed in said blade arm adjacent a first end of said arm, b. a removable, replaceable blade securely engaging said blade mount, and c. a handle securely affixed to said blade arm adjacent a second end of said arm opposite said blade mount.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said carton side support comprises: a. an elongated carton side rail projecting normal to said carton top plate, and b. a first side support projecting normal to said elongated side rail, said elongated carton side rail and said first side support adapted to engage and stabilize a carton.
 7. The invention of claim 6 further comprising a high friction surface formed in said elongated carton side rail.
 8. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a first blade stop arresting lateral movement of said blade means within the perimeter of said top plate.
 9. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a multiplicity of blade stops arresting lateral movement of said blade means within the perimeter of said top plate.
 10. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a high friction surface formed in the said bottom of said top plate. 